Laënnec examining a patient at the Necker Hospital in 1816
19th century
National Library of France
Paris, France
The history of medicine is marked by major discoveries in the 19th century, such as Laënnec\'s discoveries on auscultation (listening for body sounds, for example with a stethoscope). These discoveries helped to improve detection of diseases and care for patients.
Plaster cast panel for microbiological education
1820–1840
Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum
Istanbul, Turkey
The profession of doctor changed enormously during the 19th century. Empiricism gave way to a scientific profession that required a good knowledge of diseases, medication and medical procedures. The training provided to medical students became extremely scientific thanks to specially designed teaching material and experimentation.
An image from the book Eastern Hospitals and English Nurses
1857
The British Library
London, United Kingdom
Nurses contributed a great deal to advancing hygiene and medicine. Here, a nurse is changing the layout of hospital wards to limit epidemics.
1865
Victoria and Albert Museum
London, United Kingdom
In the mid-19th centuries, infant mortality was still high. Children’s diseases were harrowing for parents.
1877
National Museum of Romanian History
Bucharest, Romania
The numerous wars of the 19th and 20th centuries resulted in millions of wounded and dead. Ironically, this was a source of progress for medicine, in particular in the field of surgery, anaesthesia and asepsis.
Military Medical kit of Carol Davila
1877–1878
National Museum of Romanian History
Bucharest, Romania
The profession of doctor changed enormously during the 19th century. Empiricism helped to establish a scientific profession that required a good knowledge of diseases, medication and medical procedures. The doctor’s kit of various medical implements was esssential.
Edward Jenner Inoculates his Small Son with the Smallpox Vaccine
c. 1878
National Gallery of Modern Art (GNAM)
Rome, Italy
The invention of vaccinations helped to save many lives. The vaccination against smallpox, a very contagious and often fatal disease, was among the most important.
c. 1880–1900
Pharmacy Museum
Lisbon, Portugal
Great progress was also made in the field of pharmacy in the 19th century. Medication and antiseptics were taken on journeys and to front lines in special boxes.
Medical box of Dr. İbrahim Göze
1890–1923
Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum
Istanbul, Turkey
The profession of doctor changed enormously during the 19th century. Empiricism helped to establish a scientific profession that required a good knowledge of diseases, medication and medical procedures. The doctor\'s kit or bag containing various items for treatment and medication was essential.
1890–1923
Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum
Istanbul, Turkey
Progress in medicine was accompanied by the design of tools to improve diagnosis and to monitor health, such as weighing and measuring patients.
Turkey. Inside view of the Scutari Hospital during the Crimean war
1892
National Library of France
Paris, France
Nurses contributed a great deal to advancing hygiene and medicine. Here, a nurse is changing the layout of hospital wards to limit epidemics.
1895
National Gallery of Modern Art (GNAM)
Rome, Italy
Advances in psychiatry enabled a very gradual improvement in care for patients in Europe in the 19th century. Psychiatric illnesses were becoming better identified, and patients were no longer systematically locked up.
The patients in Darülaceze Hospital
1895
Istanbul University, Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi (Rare Books Library)
Istanbul, Turkey
Wards in new hospitals were built to promote the hygiene and comfort of patients, with well-ventilated wards, beds spaced apart from one another, washable surfaces and so on.
Dr Charles Nicolle, Nobel Laureate for Medicine
20th century
Musée de la Médecine
Tunis, Tunisia
The history of medicine is marked by major discoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries, such as those made by Charles Nicolle in the field of infectious diseases.
Dr Béchir Denguezli, doctoral thesis in medicine
20th century
Musée de la Médecine
Tunis, Tunisia
Exchanges between Arab and European medicine have always been fruitful. In the late 19th century, Tunisian doctors were trained in France.
Early 20th century
Musée de la Médecine
Tunis, Tunisia
The history of medicine is marked by major discoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries, such as those made by Charles Nicolle in the field of infectious diseases. These discoveries were made possible thanks to scientific equipment such as the microscope.
Nişan-ı Maarif (Badge of Education)
1910
Cerrahpaşa Medical History Museum
Istanbul, Turkey
Various states encouraged progress in medical sciences by awarding honours (prizes, medals and so on) to doctors who made discoveries or who contributed to improving the medical system.